Moderna Stock Jumps After FDA Reverses Course on Flu Shot

Core Viewpoint - Moderna's shares increased by 6% following the FDA's decision to review its regulatory filing for the seasonal influenza vaccine, mRNA-1010, with a final decision expected by August 5, 2026 [1][8]. Group 1: Regulatory Developments - The FDA had previously refused to review the mRNA-1010 filing, citing inadequacies in the late-stage study that compared it to a standard-dose influenza vaccine [2]. - Moderna has modified its regulatory filing to seek full approval for adults aged 50-64 and accelerated approval for those aged 65 and above [2][4]. - The filing is supported by data from multiple late-stage studies demonstrating that mRNA-1010 generates immune responses comparable to existing flu vaccines from GSK and Sanofi [4]. Group 2: Market Implications - If approved, Moderna plans to commercially launch mRNA-1010 for the 2026/2027 vaccination season and will conduct additional studies for older adults as part of post-marketing requirements [3]. - The FDA's reversal is seen as a significant step in expanding Moderna's product portfolio beyond its COVID-19 vaccine and RSV vaccine [5]. Group 3: Future Prospects - The recent developments have also raised optimism for mRNA-1083, a combination vaccine for COVID-19 and influenza, which is awaiting further guidance from the FDA [6]. - Year-to-date, Moderna's stock has increased by 58%, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 9% [7].